#puppytips

Introducing your puppy to car rides can be a fun and rewarding experience! Here’s how to make sure it’s a positive one:

1. Start Slow

Let your puppy explore the car while it’s parked. Allow them to sniff around and get familiar with the space.

Use treats and praise to create positive associations with being inside the car.

2. Safety First

Use a secure travel crate, pet seatbelt, or dog car harness to keep your puppy safe.

Avoid letting them roam freely—it’s dangerous for both you and your pup.

3. Short and Sweet Trips

Begin with short rides, like around the block or to a nearby park.

Gradually increase the length of the rides as your puppy gets comfortable.

4. Make It Fun

Pair car rides with exciting destinations, like a park or a playdate, so your puppy associates the car with fun.

Bring along their favorite toy or blanket to make the car feel familiar.

5. Avoid Motion Sickness

Puppies can get car sick. Avoid feeding them a big meal right before a ride.

If motion sickness persists, talk to your vet for advice or safe remedies.

6. Stay Calm

Speak to your puppy in a calm and reassuring voice.

Avoid getting frustrated if they seem nervous; patience is key.

7. Regular Practice

Make car rides a part of your puppy’s routine early on, even if you’re just going for a quick errand.

There is nothing more exciting than having a puppy, although, at times, the training may prove to be quite challenging. 

Be honest. You’ve walked through your front door at least once to find your favorite pair of Nikes in pieces on the floor.

I Called My Puppy's Name 50 Times – He Sniffed the Baseboard. Here's What I Did Wrong.

I'll never forget the day I brought Charlie home. Eight weeks old, fluffy as a cloud, and completely oblivious that he even had a name. I'd stand in the kitchen calling "Charlie!" over and over while he sniffed baseboards like I didn't exist. Honestly? I felt ridiculous.

Turns out, I was making one huge mistake: I was repeating his name without giving him any reason to care. Dogs don't learn names through repetition. They learn through association. Every time you say their name and something good happens immediately after – their brain builds a connection.

The game-changer? Turning name recognition into actual games. Within four days, Charlie was whipping his head around the instant he heard his name. Not because he understood it was his "name" – but because he'd learned that sound meant something fun was about to happen.

Here are the 5 games that actually worked:

1️⃣ The Classic Name Game

2️⃣ Peekaboo Name Game

3️⃣ Name & Treat Toss

4️⃣ Hide and Seek (Name Edition)

5️⃣ Name That Toy

Drop a "🐶" if you've ever felt like your puppy was ignoring you on purpose. And if you want the full step-by-step guide, check the link:

How to Teach a Golden Retriever Puppy Its Name with Games

So I left my Golden Retriever alone for an hour and came back to a couch cushion that looked like it lost a fight with a blender.

How long can a golden retriever puppy be left alone

Turns out, "Goldens are fine alone for 8 hours" is a lie if you skip the training part.

After 10 years and way too many destroyed pillows, I finally figured out the actual rules — by age, by anxiety level, and by what you do BEFORE you leave.

Here’s the real guide (no fluff, just what works):

📌 How long puppies vs. adults can actually stay home 📌 The frozen Kong trick that saved my baseboards 📌 Separation anxiety signs most owners miss 📌 A morning checklist that takes 30 minutes

If you work full-time and own a Golden (or want one), this is worth the read.

👉 https://goldiepulse.blogspot.com/2026/05/can-golden-retriever-live-alone-home.html

Bringing home a new puppy is one of the most exciting moments for any dog lover. Those tiny paws, playful zoomies, and curious eyes instantly become part of the family. But one of the biggest questions new pet owners ask is: when should puppy training actually begin? The truth is that training starts much earlier than most people realize. Puppies begin learning from the moment they enter a new environment, and the habits they develop in those first weeks can shape their behavior for years to come.